Tag Archives: health

Milking It

I haven’t talked much on here about the nutrition classes that I’m taking, because, frankly, I’m behind…but one of the things I’ve heard a lot about so far is lactose intolerance. More than half of the world’s population don’t have the ability to digest lactose(the sugar found in milk) after childhood, yet American culture is dairy-heavy.

When I first started trying to lose weight, Joel suggested I give up dairy because it caused inflammation (basically, your body holding onto harmful stuff, which inhibits its ability to fight disease and take care of itself.) I loved yogurt and cheese, so it was difficult for me at first, but I found that my stomach calmed down quite a bit.

I know it’s for the better, but I LOVE CHEESE. I don’t have much of it any more, though, because I like not having stomachaches better. This week, I’ve been giving into a lot of my cheesy cravings, and…let’s just say my stomach hasn’t been happy with me.

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Like these tacos I had last night. I’d gone to happy hour after work (AND managed to work out at lunchtime so I could do so–WOOT!), and I was starving by the time I got home after 9. I almost went to pull out my computer and go for some SeamlessWeb, out of habit. but I realized I had a pretty full fridge, and I threw these tacos together for a fabulous after-happy hour dinner.

Sure enough, they bothered my stomach, and I decided to go for some stabilizing oatmeal in a a jar (aka OIAJ) this morning. I used a mostly-empty jar of sunflower butter and added some almond milk, raspberries, blueberries, water, and, of course, oats and microwaved it for 90 seconds when I got to work. Meghan and I talked last night at happy hour (Theodora + wine = serious conversation. Always.) about how there are so many emotions and feelings tied up in food. It’s really easy sometimes to eat something cheesy or otherwise bad for me just because everyone else is. I need to remember that I need to do what’s best for me.

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Which usually involves snuggling with this little man. I dare you to tell me you’ve seen something cuter today.

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Oh, and my first takeout meal in a few days yesterday, turkey meatballs with Brussels sprouts and brown rice, was amazing and worth it.

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What about you? Can you handle milk/dairy? If not…do you still eat it sometimes, too, because it tastes so damn good?

Why Being Sick is Like Training for a Marathon

I had a really whiny post drafted, and I deleted it to spare you.

You need to hydrate.

  • Coconut water and regular water are my BFFs.

You eat what’s easy on your stomach.

You will do whatever necessary to feel better.

  • Sick: Neti pot, zinc, Vitamin C, echinachea, Vitamin B
  • Long run: Epsom salt/ice bath, foam roller

You eat stuff you wouldn’t otherwise eat. 

  • Orange juice: Too much sugar usually, but it’s magic for a sore throat and would probably be an okay recovery drink after a long run. (In fact, Emily has a great recipe here for a homemade energy drink that includes OJ.)
  • Canned soup: I don’t usually eat canned soup, but the simplicity can’t be beat. After a long run, the higher sodium count probably wouldn’t be the worst thing.
  • Saltine crackers. Same thing: high sodium content is just as good for a body dehydrated by being sick as it is for a body dehydrated by a long run.
  • Vitamin Water/Gatorade: This is usually way too sugary, but when you’re totally depleted of energy and nutrients, a little sugar can help.

You might not be hungry right away, but when you do get hungry, you need to eat IMMEDIATELY.

  • This morning, I had breakfast right away, but had to attend a conference in the afternoon from 1-6. I had no appetite to eat before, but at around 3, I got ravenous and dived into a Fiber One bar and a Crumbs mini-cupcake.

You get a little cranky.

  • Sorry.

You need to take some time off to recover.

  • I haven’t worked out since last Sunday, and, frankly, I’m going a little batty. (I really never thought I’d be that person…but I am. However, I’m still not feeling up to it 🙁 )

You need lots of sleep.

  • Good night.

While I’m resting and whining to myself, why don’t you look at some pictures of cute dogs, including Bailey? Tina did an awesome post today about her readers’ dogs!